Longest DHS Shutdown in History Ends
The prolonged shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which set a record, has come to an end following the passage of a funding bill by Congress. This bill intentionally left out provisions for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In response, Senator John Fetterman criticized the Democrats, labeling the shutdown as “unnecessary and a failure of Congress.” He noted the impact it had on unpaid federal employees, including resignations among TSA workers. Meanwhile, Republican strategist Kathy Smedil highlighted the Democrats’ political strategies and what she sees as a lack of common sense.
In related news, Border Patrol agents arrested two individuals last week who had previous convictions for child sex crimes. Near San Diego, authorities detained a Mexican national on a Monday who was found guilty in January 2024 of contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sex crime. The following day, CBP officers at the San Clemente Border Patrol station apprehended a Guatemalan national convicted of assault, battery, and child sexual abuse.
San Diego District Patrol Chief Justin De La Torre remarked, “These arrests are a direct result of the aggressive work our agents do every day to identify and remove these predators from our neighborhoods.” Officials commended the arrests as evidence of the agency’s ongoing effectiveness, especially under the leadership of Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullin. They pointed out that thousands of criminal aliens, including gang members and drug traffickers, have been arrested and removed to help maintain community safety.
Mark Marin, recently appointed by President Trump and confirmed by the Senate, took the lead at the Pentagon. In March alone, CBP reported the arrest of approximately 8,200 illegal aliens, according to DHS records.
Delatorre emphasized that ensuring the safety of communities remains a top priority, particularly targeting dangerous individuals who commit serious crimes against children.
Finally, CBP officials announced that the two apprehended individuals are currently in the process of being removed from the United States.
